Disabilities Specialist

Overview

The Disabilities Specialist is responsible for assisting the Disabilities Coordinator in identifying children who may have a disability, assuring appropriate intervention and services, and for managing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive programs for children with disabilities and their families. Responsible for implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other special education provisions; works with teachers, parents, local education agencies, and community agencies in planning and program development, obtaining professional diagnoses and assessments of disabled individuals, and developing Individual Education or Family Service Plans.

Candidates must have a car and valid driver’s license as travel throughout Trenton is required.

Responsibilities

This position supports the Disabilities coordinator in:

• Assist teachers in-person/virtual to provide support for all children participating in the program to reach the overall goal of social competence through the acquisition of developmentally appropriate emotional, cognitive, behavioral and social skills.
• Receive and follow-up with in- house referrals and provide an appropriate level of recruitment and outreach in coordination in existing systems to find and locate eligible children.
• Ensure that not more than 10% of the enrollment opportunities are made available for children with qualified special needs in each Head Start contract.
• Ensure the timely submission of a disabilities waiver when appropriate to ensure contract compliance.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring of program activities as assigned in-person/virtual
• Identify children with special needs and coordinate their services with special education Attend IEP’s meetings when needed; and assist the teacher in-person/virtual in how to implement the child’s IEP or IFSP in the classroom.
• Ensure the follow-up with families referred to community agencies in order to schedule a mental health consultation/further evaluation.
• Provide in-person/virtual observations and activities and suggestion for teachers in support of IFSP’s and IEP’s .
• Works with the managers to ensure and integrated approach to Disabilities Services is coordinated throughout all services and systems.
• Provides assurance that after children are properly screened that they receive appropriate referral to a qualified Disability provider.

Participates in the collection, data entry and up-dates of the Disabilities information within Child Plus to ensure the proper annotation of work with children with special needs.

• Provides disability awareness and education to staff.
• Builds collaborative relationships among children, families, staff, special services professionals, and the community.
• Provides resources for children with special needs.
• Establishes working relationship with local providers.

Maintain Professional and Ethical Standards:

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
• Respect and maintain rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children. Maintain HIPAA compliances of all confidential information.
• Attend mandated trainings and meetings, and seek out staff development opportunities.
• Work as a team member with all Head Start and agency staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
• Adhere to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and NASW Code of Ethics.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or special Education with at least two courses in Special Education and the inclusion of children with disabilities, and two courses in case management or human services field.

Experience Qualifications:

Three years experience in the field disability services preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Work experience with multicultural populations.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence, and read and interpret documents
• Knowledge of various software programs such as MS Word, Excel, Power-Point, and Publisher. ChildPlus software or equivalent a plus
• Intermediate level knowledge of various virtual meeting platforms such as ZOOM, Skype, Microsoft Team, Google Meets or equivalent a plus
• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with community members and groups, managers, regulatory agencies, and families both individually and in group settings and virtually
• Ability to organize and manage time effectively
• Ability to talk at community meetings to represent, lead, advocate, educate and/or negotiate on behalf of Head Start programs.